When snow blankets Philadelphia, families across the city grab their sleds and head to these beloved hills. Whether you’re in Center City, West Philly, South Philly, or anywhere in the City of Brotherly Love, you’re never far from a great sledding spot perfect for toddlers through teenagers.

We’ve gathered the top 18 sledding locations where Philadelphia families make winter memories year after year. From iconic landmarks to neighborhood favorites, here’s your complete guide to sledding in Philly!

Looking for sledding beyond city limits? Check out our sister sites:

• Best Sledding Hills in Bucks County
• Best Sledding Hills around the Main Line

The Philly Family Team Needs Your Recommendations!

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Center City & Parkway Sledding Hills

Philadelphia Museum of Art Steps (Rocky Steps)

📍 Address: 2600 Benjamin Franklin Pkwy, Philadelphia, PA 19130
Best For: Adventurous sledders, teens
Difficulty: Advanced
Parking: Street parking, museum lot
Amenities: Iconic views, back hills alternative

The mecca of Philadelphia sledding! Rocky ran up these legendary steps, but during a snowstorm, it’s all about coming down them. This needs significant snowfall to work—these are concrete steps, after all—so it’s best during heavy snow before the museum clears them.

Pro tips: Super bumpy! Use a plastic sled without runners for the smoothest ride. If the steps aren’t snowy enough, try the less-crowded back steps or the hills behind the museum!

Make it iconic: There’s nothing quite like zooming down with a view of the city skyline—a uniquely Philly experience you can’t find anywhere else.

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East Fairmount Park Sledding Hills

Lemon Hill

📍 Address: Sedgley Drive and Lemon Hill Drive, Philadelphia, PA 19130
Best For: Elementary-aged kids, all ages
Difficulty: Moderate to challenging
Parking: Street parking along Lemon Hill Drive
Amenities: Historic Federal-style mansion, varied terrain

Just up the road from the Art Museum, Lemon Hill fills up with sledders at the first snowfall. The historic Federal-style mansion makes a beautiful backdrop while steep hillsides offer exciting runs. This prime sledding spot works for different abilities and comfort levels, though it can get crowded—be prepared to wait your turn. It’s worth it!

Why families love it: Multiple slope options mean everyone can find their perfect run. Combine it with the Art Museum steps for a full day of sledding!

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West Fairmount Park Sledding Hills

Belmont Plateau

📍 Address: 1800 Belmont Mansion Drive, Philadelphia, PA 19131
Best For: All ages, skyline views
Difficulty: Moderate to challenging
Parking: Plateau parking area
Amenities: Multiple hills, spectacular city views

The same feature that makes Belmont Plateau a premiere cross-country course makes it perfect for sledding: the hills! Flagpole Hill (the main hill closest to the street) offers long, exhilarating rides with breathtaking skyline views. This spot can get crowded but there’s lots of room.

Local favorite: Wide, open hills and those iconic Philadelphia skyline views you can’t beat!

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West Philadelphia Sledding Hills

Clark Park Bowl

📍 Address: 4300-4398 Baltimore Avenue (43rd and Baltimore), Philadelphia, PA 19104
Best For: Young children, families, beginners
Difficulty: Beginner to moderate
Parking: Street parking
Amenities: Bowl shape, nearby cafes

The beloved Clark Park Bowl is almost a big half-pipe of snow! This West Philly gem’s bowl-shaped terrain (south of Chester Avenue between 43rd and 45th Streets) creates gentle slopes perfect for teaching little ones. Since it’s self-contained, you won’t accidentally slide into traffic—making it ideal for families.

Perfect for families: Even at its most crowded, the bowl always has ample room to sled, build snowmen, and make snow angels. Bonus: you’ll probably find some abandoned sleds lying around! Warm up afterward at nearby Green Line Café.

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Bartram’s Garden

📍 Address: 5400 Lindbergh Boulevard, Philadelphia, PA 19143
Best For: All ages, nature lovers
Difficulty: Beginner to moderate
Parking: On-site lot
Amenities: 50 acres, historic botanical gardens, stunning skyline views

The historic garden actively encourages sledding on snowy days! With about 50 acres and multiple hills to choose from, Bartram’s offers variety for all sizes and skill levels surrounded by beautiful scenery. The combination of nature, history, and spectacular city skyline views makes this Southwest Philly spot unique. Gates on 54th and 56th streets open at sunrise and close at sunset.

Hidden gem: One of Southwest Philly’s most picturesque winter spots with hills for everyone.

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Saint Joseph’s University (Hawk Hill)

📍 Address: 5600 West City Avenue, Philadelphia, PA 19131
Best For: College students, teens
Difficulty: Moderate to challenging
Parking: Campus lots (when classes closed)
Amenities: Steep slopes on campus

Your school’s campus is nicknamed Hawk Hill for a reason! St. Joe’s students have been grabbing lunch trays from the cafeteria for impromptu sledding sessions for years. The campus’s steep terrain offers thrilling rides when classes are canceled.

College tradition: If the college students don’t get in your way with their trays, your teens will have a blast!

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Cobbs Creek Golf Course

📍 Address: 7400 Lansdowne Avenue, Philadelphia, PA 19151
Best For: All ages
Difficulty: Beginner to moderate
Parking: Golf course lot
Amenities: Public course, rolling hills

You can’t golf when it’s snowing, but the city’s golf courses remain perfect for sledding! The rolling hills of public Cobbs Creek make a great spot for winter fun with plenty of space to spread out.

Bonus: No greens fees in winter!

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Northwest Philadelphia Sledding Hills

Tommy’s Hill (Thomas Mansion)

📍 Address: 6245 Wissahickon Avenue (Lincoln Drive and Wissahickon), Philadelphia, PA 19144
Best For: All ages
Difficulty: Moderate
Parking: Street parking
Amenities: Long hill, historic mansion

Just off Lincoln Drive behind Thomas Mansion, you’ll find a slope with a good grade that feels like it goes on forever! What makes Tommy’s Hill special is that it’s long but not too steep, working perfectly for all sledders—from young children to experienced thrill-seekers. Just be careful of the trees.

Northwest Philly classic: This long ride is sure to delight children of most ages!

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Water Tower Recreation Center (The Watch Tower)

📍 Address: 200-209 East Hartwell Lane, Philadelphia, PA 19118
Best For: All ages
Difficulty: Beginner to challenging
Parking: Street parking, rec center lot
Amenities: 125-foot landmark tower, varied hills

The recognizable 125-foot water tower marks this Chestnut Hill landmark, but locals know it’s also among the neighborhood’s best sledding spots. The undulating hills offer different grades—pick your starting point for more or less intensity, with lots of room to glide at the bottom. An abundance of bumps on the way down makes this location a favorite in the northwest section of the city.

Great for groups: The variety of hills makes this ideal for gaggles of kids with different ages and abilities.

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Walnut Lane Golf Club

📍 Address: 800 Walnut Lane, Philadelphia, PA 19144
Best For: All ages
Difficulty: Beginner to challenging
Parking: Public golf course lot
Amenities: Multiple hills, public access

Walnut Lane is a sledder’s paradise! This Roxborough public golf course offers lots of hills with different grades of slopes. Golf courses often make great sledding spots, and this one officially gives permission. Just watch out for the sand traps—or slide into them for extra fun!

Refuel nearby: Just a block from Dalessandro’s and Chubby’s Steaks for post-sledding cheesesteaks!

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Fernhill Park

📍 Address: 4600 Morris Street, Philadelphia, PA 19144
Best For: Families
Difficulty: Beginner to moderate
Parking: Street parking
Amenities: Mix of gentle and steep hills

This Germantown neighborhood spot features a mix of small and larger hills to accommodate a range of abilities. The expanses of gentle hills (and a few steeper ones) keep the whole family entertained for hours, making it perfect for mixed-age groups.

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North Philadelphia Sledding Hills

Dead Man’s Hill (Fisher Park Recreation Center)

📍 Address: 600 W. Spencer Street, Philadelphia, PA 19120
Best For: Experienced sledders, older kids
Difficulty: Challenging
Parking: Street parking, rec center lot
Amenities: Large sledding area

Olney’s Fisher Park has been the center of North Philly sledding for years. The large sledding area earned the dramatic name “Dead Man’s Hill,” but don’t worry—you’ll survive it! This is where local kids come for serious sledding thrills.

Local legend: The name says it all—this is for sledders who want an adrenaline rush!

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Juniata Golf Course

📍 Address: 1391 East Cayuga Street, Philadelphia, PA 19124
Best For: All ages
Difficulty: Beginner to moderate
Parking: Golf course lot
Amenities: 85 acres, multiple hills

If you see a golf course in the city, you know it’s likely an amazing place to sled! This 85-acre public course offers plenty of hills to choose from with lots of space to spread out. The 1st hole is particularly popular. No greens fees required!

Multiple options: With 85 acres, you’ll find hills for every ability level.

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Northeast Philadelphia Sledding Hills

Burholme Park

📍 Address: 401 Cottman Avenue (Central and Cottman), Philadelphia, PA 19111
Best For: All ages
Difficulty: Beginner to challenging
Parking: Park lot, street parking
Amenities: Historic Ryerss Museum, varied terrain

If you’re from the Northeast, you know Burholme Park is THE place to sled. The site of a historic mansion, this Fox Chase park is built on one of the highest points in the area and features a large, well-known hill that gets packed with sledders. You’ll find a few smaller, less intense options too, but beware—picking up speed down one hill can land you in the Fox Chase Cancer Center drive!

Northeast favorite: Generations of Philly families have sledded this enormous, beloved hill.

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Austin Meehan Middle School

📍 Address: 3001 Ryan Avenue, Philadelphia, PA 19152
Best For: Thrill-seekers, older kids
Difficulty: Moderate to challenging
Parking: School lot, street parking
Amenities: Two hills, nearby Pennypack Park

Located next to Pennypack Park, this uniquely designed school (shaped like five interlocking gears!) sits atop a giant hill. There are actually two sledding areas: one out front and a steeper one behind the school. This spot is great for thrill-seekers with steep hills that help you fly to the bottom.

Overflow option: If Austin Meehan gets crowded, Lincoln High School next door also has a large field for sledding!

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Baldi Middle School

📍 Address: Bustleton, Philadelphia, PA
Best For: Experienced sledders
Difficulty: Advanced
Parking: School lot
Amenities: Steep concrete hill

With a steep but concrete hill, sledders should be sure there is plenty of snow before pushing off. This Bustleton spot is only for those with experience!

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Wissinoming Park (Deadman’s Hill)

📍 Address: 5773-5945 Frankford Avenue (Frankford and Cheltenham), Philadelphia, PA 19135
Best For: All ages
Difficulty: Moderate
Parking: Street parking
Amenities: Park facilities, multiple options

Anyone who grew up or lives in Wissinoming, Frankford, and Oxford Circle has likely sledded on this hill! Another great spot in the northeast section of the city with multiple options. This one can get crowded if you arrive too late in the day.

Local tip: Get there early for the best runs!

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South Philadelphia Sledding Hills

FDR Park

📍 Address: 1500 Pattison Avenue and South Broad Street, Philadelphia, PA 19148
Best For: Young children, beginners
Difficulty: Beginner
Parking: Park lots
Amenities: Gentle slopes, ample space, nearby Packer Park
Hours: 6 a.m. – 6 p.m., November through March

Yes, there are places to sled in South Philly! While FDR’s hills aren’t the steepest, the park’s expanse gives you plenty of room to slide around or be pulled by a willing parent—and really, that’s half the fun. The gentle, mellow hills around the lakes are perfect for teaching younger sledders the ropes.

Bonus: If FDR gets crowded, Packer Park’s “Bridge Hill” at Broad and Packer is right next door (just watch for traffic)! The laid-back charm of this South Philly gem makes it perfect for families.

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South Jersey Sledding Hills

Frank Donio Memorial Park

📍 Address: 665 Chews Landing Road, Sicklerville, NJ
Best For: All ages
Difficulty: Moderate to challenging
Parking: Park lot
Amenities: 50 acres, walking paths, steep hills

Though the directions aren’t exact, this one is easy to find: it’s behind the ShopRite in Sicklerville! At about 50 acres, this park is a favorite sledding spot among South Jersey locals. The steep hills mean you should get there early before all the snow is worn away by sledders. Hit the walking path to easily find plenty of hills to choose from.

Jersey gem: Worth the trip across the bridge for these exciting slopes!

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Laurel Acres Park

📍 Address: 1045 S. Church Street, Mount Laurel Township, NJ
Best For: Young children, families
Difficulty: Beginner
Parking: Park lot
Amenities: Fishing lake, nature trail, designated sledding hill

In warmer months, this Mount Laurel park is known for its small fishing lake and nature trail—but come winter, it’s a hot spot for South Jersey locals looking for good sledding. The park’s designated sledding hill is near the parking lot and features a long slope that’s on the gentler side, making it great for youngsters.

Perfect for little ones: Easy access and gentle slopes make this ideal for teaching kids to sled.

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Fort Mott State Park

📍 Address: 454 Fort Mott Road, Pennsville, NJ
Best For: Experienced sledders
Difficulty: Challenging
Parking: Park lot
Amenities: Historic fort, steep embankments
Hours: 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

Back in the late 1800s, this spot was part of a coastal defense system on the Delaware River. These days, come winter it’s a favorite sledding spot for folks in Salem County. It’s not for the totally faint of heart—the hills and embankments can get steep for inexperienced sledders—but they are good for picking up some serious speed. Fort Mott can get crowded, but the hill is large enough to accommodate everyone.

Historic thrills: Combine history with winter adventure at this former military site!

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What to Bring Sledding in Philadelphia

Make your Philly sledding adventure safe and fun with these essentials:

Gear:

• Sled, saucer disc, tube, or toboggan (in true Philly fashion, a sturdy cardboard box works too!)
• Helmets (highly recommended, especially for kids)
• Snow pants and waterproof outerwear
• Insulated gloves or mittens
• Winter boots with good traction
• Extra layers and dry clothes in the car

Comfort items:

• Hot chocolate in a thermos
• Hand warmers
• Snacks and water
• Towels for the car
• First aid kit

Don’t forget:

• Sunscreen (snow reflects UV rays!)
• Sunglasses or goggles
• Phone for photos and emergencies

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Sledding Safety Tips for Philadelphia Families

Keep your family safe while having winter fun:

1. Check conditions first: Avoid sledding on icy conditions or when temperatures are causing refreezing
2. Inspect the hill: Look for obstacles like trees, fences, rocks, or parking lots at the bottom
3. Helmet up: Children should always wear helmets, just like biking
4. Sled feet-first: Especially for younger children to maintain better control
5. One person per sled: Unless it’s specifically designed for multiple riders
6. Never sled near roads: Make sure there’s plenty of run-out space away from traffic
7. Supervise children: Keep young kids within sight at all times. Kids should always be accompanied by adults.
8. Take breaks: Watch for signs of cold exposure like shivering or red skin
9. Walk up the side: Teach kids to climb back up along the edge, not through the sledding path
10. Know when to call it: If anyone gets injured or too cold, head home

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Philadelphia Sledding FAQ

When is the best time to go sledding in Philadelphia?

The best sledding happens within 24-48 hours after a snowfall of 4+ inches. Head out mid-morning after the roads have been plowed and parking lots cleared. Weekday snow days tend to be less crowded than weekends. For the Art Museum steps, go during heavy snowfall at night before they’re cleared!

Do I need to bring my own sled or can I rent equipment?

You’ll need to bring your own sled to these public hills. Most sporting goods stores in Philadelphia sell sleds, tubes, and toboggans. Buy early in the season for the best selection! In true Philly resourcefulness, families have been known to use cardboard boxes or other creative alternatives—whatever gets you down the hill safely!

Which Philadelphia sledding hill is best for toddlers?

Clark Park Bowl, FDR Park, and Laurel Acres Park (NJ) are best for young children, offering gentle slopes and safe, contained areas perfect for beginners.

Which sledding spot has the steepest hills?

Dead Man’s Hill (Fisher Park), Baldi Middle School, The Arts Academy at Benjamin Rush, and Fort Mott State Park (NJ) offer the most challenging slopes for experienced sledders and thrill-seekers. The Art Museum steps are also intense but require extra caution.

Are golf courses really open for sledding?

Yes! Philadelphia’s public golf courses (Cobbs Creek, Juniata, and Walnut Lane) are great for sledding when snow-covered. Walnut Lane officially permits sledding. Just watch for sand traps and water hazards!

Is sledding at the Art Museum steps legal?

The museum steps may not be an entirely safe sledding location, but it’s fun and a beloved Philly tradition! Use extreme caution, wait for significant snow coverage, and be respectful of other visitors. There are also hills around back and a set of less famous steps if the main steps are too crowded or dangerous.

Are there sledding spots across the bridge in New Jersey?

Yes! Frank Donio Memorial Park (Sicklerville), Laurel Acres Park (Mount Laurel), and Fort Mott State Park (Pennsville) are all worth the trip from Philly.

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More Philadelphia Area Winter Fun

Looking for sledding beyond city limits or other winter activities?

Other Winter Activities:

• Best Family Snow Tubing Trips from Philadelphia
• Indoor Water Parks near Philadelphia
• Family-Friendly Skiing and Snowboarding near Philly
• Best Hot Chocolate Spots in Philly

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Find Your Favorite Philadelphia Sledding Hill

From the iconic Art Museum steps to neighborhood favorites like Clark Park, Burholme Park, and Tommy’s Hill, Philadelphia offers incredible sledding opportunities throughout the winter season. Whether you’re in Center City, West Philly, the Northeast, or even across the bridge in South Jersey, you’re never far from a great hill.

Did we miss your favorite Philly sledding spot? Join our Philly Family Community Facebook group to share your recommendations, swap snow day tips, and connect with other parents in your neighborhood. We’d love to hear where you sled!

Stay safe, bundle up, and make some winter memories on Philadelphia’s best sledding hills this season!

Feature photo by Bastiaan Slabbers.